People Mover News

Australia is about to receive a wave of new EVs before the end of 2026.EV sales are surging in Australia as brands beef-up their line-ups to provide further choice.Here is a look at some of the best models still to arrive this year.GAC will launch an ultra-affordable variant of its Aion UT electric hatchback before the end of 2026.This Standard Range variant is priced similar to the popular Geely EX2 that starts from $26,490 (before on-road costs).It should start at less than $30,000 drive-away when it gets here, given the current variant on sale starts from $31,990 (drive-away).It’s equipped with a 44kWh battery instead of a 60kWh unit, offering a driving range of 320km, compared to 430km, according to WLTP standards.GAC hasn’t confirmed performance output yet, but in China its front-mounted electric motor produces 100kW and 145Nm, which is less than the 150kW/210Nm available now.Kia will introduce its first fully-electric people mover, the PV5 Passenger, to the Australian market in 2026.The PV5 Passenger is the people mover variant of the PV5 Cargo already on sale Down Under. Its performance matches the PV5 Cargo, with a single electric motor making 120kW/250Nm and its 71.2kWh battery expected to offer around 416km of range (WLTP).Kia hasn’t provided a more specific launch date than Q4 2026, but it’s likely to be closer to December.The Korean brand hasn’t revealed pricing yet either, but Cargo starts from $55,990 (before on-road costs), so buyers can expect the more expensive Passenger variant to sit between $60,000 to $70,000.The much-anticipated Zeekr 7GT wagon is due to land in Australian showrooms in Q4 2026.The fully-electric Euro-styled wagon will target a similar reception to its 7X mid-size SUV sibling that has taken the Aussie market by storm so far. The 7GT is available in a rear-wheel drive configuration, making 310kW/440Nm, as well as an all-wheel drive variant, with 475kW/710Nm. We still don’t know how much it will cost, but it could sit around the $55,000 mark, coming in cheaper than the 7X SUV.XPeng is looking to make the most of its new factory-backed operation Down Under.The brand will launch its L03 electric mid-size SUV in December 2026, priced from $41,900 (before on-road costs). This means it’s cheaper than the Tesla Model Y ($58,900) and the Zeekr 7X ($57,900), while matching the Geely EX5’s starting price ($41,900). The L03 comes as standard with a single electric motor, producing 163kW/280Nm, and a 445km driving range from its 58kWh battery. There will also be a hybrid range-extender variant of the car that uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine to charge the battery and a single electric motor, making 178kW/280Nm.An updated Chery E5 small SUV will hit Aussie showrooms in late 2026.The E5’s budget-friendly status pits it against the BYD Atto 3 ($41,990) and Jaecoo J5 ($36,990, drive-away). It offers the same performance as its outgoing model, with 155kW and 288Nm, while its 59kWh battery offers 430km of WLTP driving range. It now has a larger 15.6-inch central touchscreen display and an auto-dimming mirror.The EX60 is the fully-electric counterpart to the XC60 - Volvo’s best-selling car of all time.The mid-size SUV will start from $86,900, and will tackle the BMW iX3 ($89,990) in the increasingly competitive electric SUV segments. The RWD variant produces 275kW/480Nm, while the AWD makes 375kW/710Nm. Performance increases up to 500kW and 680Nm on the more expensive P12 variant due in 2027. Its initial variants will be equipped with either an 83kWh battery offering 610km or a 95kWh unit offering 660km of range, according to WLTP standards.GWM is about to launch a new hatchback variant of its Ora 5 EV in Australia. The Ora 5 hatch will rival the BYD Dolphin and MG4 Urban in the affordable EV space. It’s expected to have the same single motor found in the SUV variant, making 150kW/260Nm. GWM has confirmed it has a 58kWh battery with a 435km driving range (WLTP). 

BYD Australia has confirmed pricing for the next of its models in line for an Australian launch, its M9 people-mover.The 2026 BYD M9 will start from $61,990, before on-road costs, in Australia for the eight-seat M9 Dynamic, though the first grade to arrive will be the flagship seven-seat M9 Premium priced at $72,990.BYD’s first people mover, the M9, joins a market category dominated by the Kia Carnival, though the Hyundai Staria and Ford Tourneo take up distant second and third places.Other new arrivals to the people-mover category are more expensive, like the BYD-related Denza D9 or the Zeekr 009.On its 3045mm wheelbase, the M9 is 5145mm long, 1970mm wide and 1805mm high and its three-row layout provides "generous accommodation" according to the brand.Its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain draws power from a 36.60kWh BYD LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) 'Blade' battery, the Dynamic with a 20.39kWh equivalent and features a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine to charge the battery and help provide drive.The Premium, the only grade available from launch, boasts 145km of EV range and up to 850km of combined range (under WLTP testing) according to BYD, with AC and DC charging, as well as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) all supported.Its drivetrain consists of a front-mounted electric motor that provides 200kW and 315Nm, though with the engine’s help total outputs are 218kW and 315Nm.With enough battery charge, the fuel consumption claim for the M9 is 0.4L/100km, but with a low battery that jumps to 7.3L/100km - still a reasonable figure.While features for the entry Dynamic grade are yet to be confirmed, the Premium comes with a long list of luxe features including:A 12.3-inch digital instrument driver displayA 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoOver-the-air updates (OTA) 12-speaker sound systemFour-zone voice controlLeather upholstery Heated and ventilated front seats with massage function Heated and ventilated second-row captain's chairs with massage functionAn integrated refrigerator and hotboxAugmented reality (AR) projectionPower sunroofAcoustic front glassPrivacy rear glassInterior ambient lightingLED headlightsLED tail-lights50W wireless phone chargerThe BYD M9 also features nine airbags and a suite of crash-avoidance safety kit including a surround-view camera system and eight ultrasonic sensors to aid in advanced driver assist (ADAS) functions.BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the M9 is part of the brand’s “commitment to this market”.“The M9 marks the seventh all-new model BYD has introduced within 12 months, and all of them in new segments. “We also added two significant new Shark 6 variants, the Shark 6 Cab Chassis and Shark 6 Premium pick-up, in response to customer needs.“The acceptance of BYD vehicles is reflected in our continued strong sales, with year-to-date deliveries more than double ahead of last year, which itself was a record year.”

The first model from GWM’s premium sub-brand, Wey, has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its expected launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.This is the GWM Wey G9, which is a people mover that has been offered in China since 2023.At this stage GWM hasn’t officially announced that the Wey G9 will be launching in Australia, but if it does it will form as a rival to the likes of the BYD M9, GAC M8 and Kia Carnival, among others.According to government approval documents, the GWM Wey G9 has been approved for local sale in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) guises.The hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. Total system output is 263kW.The PHEV powertrain, on the other hand, pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. Despite having a smaller engine, it has a higher total system output of 325kW.Given the dual electric motors on each axle this means that both versions of the Wey G9 are all-wheel drive.The approval documents don’t list the battery pack the PHEV version will havem, but globally there is a 38kWh and 44.5kWh unit available. This offers up to 140km and 170km of electric range, respectively, according to lenient CLTC testing.There is little else new information about the GWM Wey G9 in the local approval documents beyond the weights and dimensions.The hybrid version has a tare mass of 2504kg and a gross vehicle mass of 3165kg, whereas the PHEV version has a tare mass of 2759kg and a gross vehicle mass of 3355kg.The hybrid version has a braked towing capacity of 1500kg, whereas the PHEV isn’t allowed to tow at all.The GWM Wey G9 measures in at 5055mm long, 1985mm wide and 1925mm tall, with a 3085mm wheelbase. This makes it slightly shorter but taller than the Kia Carnival.According to the local approval documents, all versions of the Wey G9 will come with 18-inch alloy wheels.GWM has confirmed it will launch the Wey sub-brand in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026 and it’s expected the G9 people mover will be the first model given it has now been approved for local sale.It’s expected the G9 won’t be the only Wey model on offer Down Under. It has previously said that large SUVs and people movers will be the focus.The brand recently launched the V9X large SUV in China. It debuted a new architecture called the GWM ONE platform.It’s powered by a PHEV powertrain that in top-spec form offers total system outputs of up to 550kW and 930Nm, as well as a battery pack that’s up to 80kWh in capacity. This allows for up to 470km of CLTC-claimed electric range.If the GWM Wey V9X comes to Australia it will form as a rival to the Denza B8 and Zeekr 8X, as well as the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Kia has added another pure-electric van to its light commercial line-up with the larger PV7 joining the recently-released PV5.Unveiled at this week’s IAA Transportation exhibition in Hannover, Germany the newcomer is underpinned by the same ‘E-GMP.S’ 800-volt platform as its smaller sibling with Kia Australia confirming the PV7 will launch locally in late 2027.Presented in Cargo commercial and multi-row Passenger variants, Kia said the PV7 is designed for “fleet, logistics and shuttle operations to small- and medium-sized businesses and personal mobility.”Currently offered in Cargo (van) form here, the PV5 is due to be joined by a seven-seat Passenger (people mover) version in Australia before the end of 2026.Available globally with a choice of 71.5kWh and 96.2kWh NCM (nickel cobalt manganese) batteries the PV7’s powertrain delivers up to 200kW/420Nm to the front wheels, with an all-wheel drive variant “planned as a future addition”.The PV7 Long Range Cargo boasts a 460km-plus WLTP range and its 800V electric architecture enables 10-80 per cent charging in around 25 minutes using a 350kW DC fast charger.Kia plans to expand the PV7 line-up to 23 variants globally following its 2027 launch to include Cargo (Compact, Long, High Roof) and Passenger (Compact, Long) variants, a Cab Chassis for specialist applications and a range of conversion models.The next size up PV9, also riding on the E-GMP.S platform is set to further expand Kia’s PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) line-up in 2029.The PV7 Cargo is available in two- and three-seat configurations globally, the Long model offering up to 6.1m³ (VDA) of cargo space with the High Roof upping capacity to 8.0m³. Maximum payload for the PV7 Cargo Long is 1165 kg which also features a 550mm load height and capacity for up to three (800×1200mm) Euro pallets.Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality enables the PV7 to power and charge tools, business equipment and other devices and Kia said floor materials can be tailored to different applications, with a choice of dual ‘twin-swing’ rear doors for confined spaces or a conventional lift-up tailgate.The PV7 Passenger is designed for crew transport, shuttle and rental services, tourism and family use and can accommodate up to nine occupants (with an 11-passenger version offered in Korea).Unveiling the PV7, Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song said, “By bringing together hardware developed for specific applications, business-tailored software and dedicated PBV services, the PV7 goes beyond the vehicle itself to deliver a complete business solution that helps customers achieve greater productivity, flexibility and long-term value.”Confirming its Q4 2027 launch, Kia Australia said, “Like any other local Kia product, PV7 will undergo our extensive ride & handling program, ensuring it suits local roads and conditions.”The company said further details on local trim variants, features and pricing will be announced in due course.

Zeekr has announced monthly sales figures for August, announcing that it has more than doubled its global sales footprint year-on-year.Up a massive 100.4 per cent year-on-year, Zeekr reports it has delivered 251,000 vehicles, with monthly sales volume for August coming to 36,981 units.The growing luxury arm of Geely, Zeekr says it has now cumulatively sold nearly 900,000 units worldwide since its inception in 2021.This is an important milestone for Geely, as the higher pricing and margin of Zeekr vehicles is dragging up the brand’s average sale price in an environment where China’s automakers are seeking better profits after a bruising price war in the domestic market.The average sale price for a Zeekr vehicle is reportedly 370,000 RMB (A$77,090) and is an important factor in dragging the average sale price up for the entire Geely Group.Highlights for the year so far shared by Zeekr include over 200,000 global orders for the 7X mid-size SUV, and the Zeekr 9X large SUV becoming the best-selling SUV above the A$100,000 mark in China.In addition, the 009 people mover is now the best-selling luxury electric people mover in several markets, while the 7GT, soon to go on sale in Australia, is moving over 10,000 units a month globally.Zeekr has experienced explosive growth in Australia over the course of 2026, led primarily by its 7X, which until the end of July has clocked 7424 registrations. This has made it one of the best-selling electric cars in the country, ranking only behind more mainstream offerings like the BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5 and Tesla Model Y.Zeekr will no doubt be expecting a bumper year in 2027, as well, as it adds the 7GT electric station wagon to the range as a new rival to the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 before the end of the year, with the 8X large SUV and 9X flagship, both as plug-in hybrids, also set to join the line-up in 2027.For Geely’s part, it has also experienced massive growth in Australia, moving over 14,000 units so far in 2026, despite only having a two-model range. The keenly-priced EX2 hatchback has just joined its range, with the Emgrand sedan and possibly the Monjaro upper mid-sizer set to join the range next year as hybrid options.The company has big global aspirations to double its export sales in 2027. Doing so in Australia would put the brand in the same stead as other Chinese success stories like BYD, Chery and GWM.But Geely’s Australian CEO Alex Gu told CarsGuide earlier this year that the company would continue its measured approach in Australia, despite its early success.“Success isn’t just the volume booming,” he said, “success is also customer satisfaction and dealer satisfaction.”“We’ve only launched two models and for example other brands have launched 10 models.“Of course, they have been in the marke longer, but even with two models you can see we only try to bring ‘star’ models into each segment.“From my perspective, 1000 a month is a milestone for a new model, especially in mainstream segments.”He said the company’s ultimate target was to be a global top-five player, and that in export markets like Australia the goal was to be “the number one Chinese brand.”From there it was a matter of challenging “the global top three.”Stay tuned for more on Zeekr’s new model roll out, as well as more on Geely’s plans for 2027.

Kia has teased its electric Carnival alternative overseas. The brand has provided a glimpse at its new PV7 van ahead of an official debut on 14 September 2026 at the IAA Transportation.  The PV7 is the bigger sibling of the PV5 that launched in Australia this year. It will tackle the Ford E-Transit Custom van as well as the Hyundai Staria Electric people mover. It would shape up as a cheaper alternative to luxury Chinese competition such as the Denza D9 and Zeekr 009 in Australia. Details are scarce at this stage, with Kia only providing a preview before it receives an official unveiling next month. The PV7 is expected to be available in both cargo and passenger configurations, as Kia stated it is adaptable across commercial and lifestyle applications. The PV7 concept was nearly 5.3m long, which is a little longer than the diesel- and hybrid-powered Carnival.From the outside, it sports a rounded front look, similar to the PV5, while it also features an angular headlight design.Its rear headlights are assembled in a vertical shape, with a chrome-look rear bumper. It will be the brand’s second model to use its dedicated all-electric E-GMP.S platform, following the PV5. Kia has not confirmed what will power the PV7, but the PV5 employs a single electric motor producing 120kW and 250Nm. More details will be revealed in the coming weeks. There is no official word on the PV7 in Australia, but it seems likely Kia would be eager to add another electric people mover to its line-up. The PV7 will launch in the UK next year, so it will be built in right-hand drive, smoothing its potential launch here.Kia recently launched the smaller PV5 Down Under, with the cargo variant arriving first followed by the people mover that has just been approved for local sale.An Australian arrival for the PV7 would come after it launches globally in 2027.We can expect more concrete information around the PV7’s Australian future when it’s officially unveiled next month.

BYD's answer to the Kia Carnival is coming to Australia.The BYD M9 plug-in hybrid is due to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year as a new electrified people mover option for buyers.The M9 will directly tackle the conventional hybrid- and diesel-powered Kia Carnival ($54,560, before on-road costs), sporting very similar dimensions.The M9 is BYD’s second people mover put on sale in Australia, following the arrival of the Denza D9 from the brand’s luxury division earlier this year.The M9 name comes from BYD’s Chinese ride-sharing and taxi services sub-brand Linghui.It also shares its underpinnings with the luxury-focused Xia DM-i people mover. It will be available in ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Premium’ grades, initially as a seven-seater that includes second-row captains chairs, before an eight-seater variant arrives afterwards. The front wheels are driven by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor, but BYD has not revealed output figures yet. In China the engine produces 115kW, while an electric motor adds a further 200kW. It will be equipped with either a 20.4kWh or 36.6kWh battery, offering 145km of electric-only driving range and a total range figure of 850km, according to WLTP standards. BYD confirmed the car will have DC charging capacity and vehicle-to-load capacity so devices can be powered directly from the car. Inside the car is available with heated and ventilated front and second row seats, as well as ‘near’ zero gravity adjustability. BYD has not confirmed a specific launch date, other than it will be in the fourth quarter of this year. The brand will also reveal pricing in Q4 and it is expected to be competitive with the established pack. It will certainly be cheaper than the Denza D9 starting from $95,990, while hybrid variants of the Kia Carnival kick off from $68,540. 

Volkswagen has upgraded its pure-electric ID. Buzz people mover and light commercial van line-up for the 2027 model year.Arriving in the fourth quarter of this year, the range will feature a new Pro+ model, extra standard equipment, more options and an additional colour choice, all with no change to pricing for the entry grades.The entry-level, single-motor ID. Buzz Pro has picked up a heap of new equipment including an under-chassis stone guard, bi-directional charging, updated driver attention monitoring, a predictive speed limiter, ‘driving experience selection’ (allows switching between drive modes) and Dynamic Road Sign Display.There’s even a dual-tone horn and the new colour option is a white/red two-tone finish.Price for the five-seat short-wheelbase version stays at $75,990, before on-road costs, with the long-wheelbase seven seater at $80,990. There’s also a new Infotainment package option which includes built-in navigation.The new Pro+ variant pulls together the most popular options applied to the base Pro and packages them into a stand-alone model positioned at what VW positions as “a more attractive price.”It brings all the equipment added to the Pro, plus 20-inch alloy wheels (up from 19s), Park Assist (with memory) and built-in navigation. This grade’s Infotainment package option features high-end Harman Kardon audio and a head-up display with the price stepping up to $84,990, BOC, for the SWB five-seater and $89,990 for the seven-seat LWB version.At the top of the ID. Buzz pyramid, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive, seven-seat LWB-only GTX adds Park Assist (with memory) and built-in navigation to its included features list, only this time around the price increases by $2.0K to $106,990, BOC.And VW hasn’t forgotten the tradies with the ID. Buzz Cargo SWB three-seater picking up the Pro’s new standard inclusions as well as wireless phone charging, and built-in nav with no change to the $69,990 MSRP.

XPeng has confirmed the pricing and specifications of its next new vehicle in Australia, the X9 electric people mover, as orders open.There are two versions of the 2027 XPeng X9 available at launch, the FWD Standard Range and AWD Performance. Pricing is $89,900, before on-road costs and $109,900, before on-road costs, respectively.This sees it undercut the luxurious Zeekr 009, but it’s priced similarly to the Denza D9.The entry-level X9 FWD Standard Range is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 235kW.It’s fed by a 94.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and offers up to 535km of WLTP-claimed range.The flagship X9 AWD Performance, on the other hand, has a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with total system outputs of 370kW and 640Nm. This allows it to travel from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.The dual electric motors are fed by a larger 110kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery which offers up to 580km of WLTP-claimed range.AC charging across the line-up is 11kW, whereas peak DC fast-charging is up to 542kW. This allows for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 12 minutes.There’s also vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities at up to 6kW.As standard there is air suspension with adaptive dampers, as well as a rear-axle steering system.A seven-seat configuration is standard with second-row captain’s chairs that offer 14 ways of electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and massaging, as well as a 17.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, a 21-inch head-up display, 21.4-inch rear touchscreen, 27-speaker sound system and a fridge/hotbox.On the safety front there are nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane centring, a semi-autonomous park assist, as well as a surround-view camera.The X9 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first. Pricing will be confirmed at a later date.Beyond the updated G6 electric mid-size SUV and the X9 electric people mover, XPeng also plans to launch the L03 coupe SUV, G9L large SUV and the L05 mid-size SUV in Australia over the next six months.The Chinese carmaker has also confirmed the flagship GX SUV will launch in Australia, however it hasn’t locked in concrete launch timing yet.

A hybrid car has just launched in China with a battery bigger than many EVs.The Leapmotor D99’s range-extender set-up boasts a whopping 80kWh battery.This means the people mover offers a pure electric driving range of 480km, according to more generous CLTC standards.This boosts total driving range to 1160km when the battery is fully charged. The D99’s range-extender battery is bigger than what is available on most grades of the fully-electric Tesla Model Y. Its battery is almost three times the size of the standard BYD Atto 1 EV.  Don’t expect to see the D99 in Australia anytime soon, with it specifically targeting the hugely competitive Chinese people mover market.It has a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 100kW and 225Nm to charge the battery, while dual electric motors provide 300kW and 525Nm. There is also a fully-electric version of the D99 that has a 115kWh battery that offers 700km of driving range. The D99 is priced in China from 249,000 yuan, which is just over $53,000, with prices rising up to 320,000 yuan or just less than $70,000.Range-extender vehicles and people movers have become increasingly popular in China, finding the sweet spot between an electrified set-up, sufficient driving range and increased practicality. The D99 is a rival to other Chinese competitors like the Denza D9, Xpeng X9 and Zeekr 009 that also boast range-extender set-ups. The Denza D9 and Zeekr’s 009 are already on sale in Australia as EVs, with an electric version of the Xpeng X9 approved for sale as well.Range-extenders remain a rarity in Australia, with Leapmotor’s B10 and C10 SUVs the only major examples. People movers are the latest segment to see an influx of electrified options, but it still remains dominated by the Kia Carnival.